A WIRRAL ship repair firm has become the first British company to win a prestigious industry award, just one year after it came to the borough.

A& P Birkenhead has been named European Ship Repair and Conversion Specialist 2003.

The company, which opened on the former Cammell Laird site last August, competed with some of Europe's biggest and most well-established firms for the title.

Andy Mort, acting general manager at A&P, said: "A&P Birkenhead is delighted to be awarded this title.

"The fact that the company has won this award in its first year of operation is a tribute to the excellent skills and attitude displayed by both staff and sub-contractors. It is very satisfying to know that the yard's focus on customer service is recognised within the industry.

"Some of the biggest shipyards in Europe have won this in the past so it is a real achievement."

The award has come as a particular boost for the company as it is based on votes from A&P's customers and counterparts.

Run by the Institute of Transport Management, every major European ship repair specialist was canvassed alongside the organisation's own members and other ship repair specialists.

A&P Birkenhead was singled-out for its project management and investment policy, as well as being praised for its strong reputation and the customer service provided by staff.

Efficiency at the shipyard and work-ers' ability to complete marine and non marine jobs also scored top marks.

Patrick Sheedy, from ITM and chairman of its Marine Committee, said: "A&P Birkenhead faced extremely strong competition from other leading ship repair specialists and we feel that this accreditation is one that will contribute to the final decision in ship repair and conversion solutions for many companies.

"The true expertise are the managers who do a day-to-day job that requires a level of knowledge that can only be gleaned from years of experience.

"We endorse the selection by our shipping manager members of A&P Birkenhead for this prestigious accolade."

A&P has attracted a steady work load since opening on the site in August last year.

More than 30 vessels have been repaired at the yard and last week the firm started work on a new contract with Halliburton to carry out routine maintenance work on the Irish Sea Pioneer jack-up rig.

It was the first contract between the two firms but is expected to lead to more work.

A&P also began work on a multi-million pound repair contract on three P&O Irish Sea ferries at the end of July, creating around 150 jobs for the eight-week duration of the work.